Effect of mercury intoxication on thyroid function and blood cholesterol

Abstract

¯Abstract Background: ‌ Mercury is a heavy metal and transition element in periodic table that has many uses in industries, agriculture and medicine. This element can enter the body through different routs including food materials, ventilation and skin. Objective: To investigate the short and long term effect of mercury on thyroid hormone in the sera from rats. Methods: Mercuric chloride in doses of 3 mg/kg (short term or 10-day injection) and 1 mg/kg (long term or 45- and 60-day injection) was injected intraperitoneally into three test groups of rats (n=5). Following each period of injections, the blood samples were collected for T3, T4, TSH and T3 uptake measurements. Blood cholesterol level was measured simultaneously for monitoring cholesterol changes. Findings: After the 10-day injection, values for T3, T4 and TSH in test group were decreased 29, 18 and 30 percent, respectively, compared to control group (P